My (Ice) Bucket List

“… And up through the ground come a bubblin’ crude.” Like Jed Clampett of “Beverly Hillbillies” fame, the ALS Association in 2014 found itself in the unexpected circumstance of commanding assets beyond its wildest dreams. The national display of generosity, hope, and compassion dubbed the ice…

Tiglutik, an oral suspension of riluzole, is now available as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the U.S., ITF Pharma, the therapy’s developer and a subsidiary of Italfarmaco, recently announced. Rilutek (riluzole, marketed by Sanofi), has been available in the U.S. as 50 mg tablets…

Life with ALS often feels like a crash course in adaptability but being adaptable doesn’t come naturally for many of us. However, whether you’re the patient, caregiver, or a family member, I believe you can learn how. Read on and let’s get started. In my pre-ALS life…

SOD1 gene mutations can contribute differently to the degenerative process of nerve cells involved in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), newly developed worm models of the disease reveal. This finding was reported in the study, “Single copy/knock-in models…

One of the most awful parts of my diagnosis was the loss of my career. Teaching was more than a job to me — it was part of my identity. I wish I knew then that my loss wouldn’t be as total as I had imagined. Don’t give…

Chip technology — much like an organ-on-a-chip that can simulate the workings of tissue or organs  — was used to recreate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), allowing researchers to identify two treatments for blood cancers — rapamycin plus bosutinib — as a possible ALS combination therapy. The study, “Microphysiological 3D model…

Researchers have discovered that mast cells and neutrophils — two types of immune cells — are involved in the degeneration of peripheral motor nerve cells and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These findings also clarify why masitinib — an investigational therapy for ALS that targets mast cells…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will host its 18th annual Wings Over Wall Street benefit Oct. 17 to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research with the ultimate goal of defeating the disease, the nonprofit announced. Presented by Investors Exchange and emceed by ABC affiliate…

The communication between motor neurons and muscles, which allow us to control our movements, is more dynamic than previously thought, a new study with zebra fish shows. Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden discovered that adult motor neurons can switch their messenger, or neurotransmitter, in response to increased…

If you are living with ALS, here’s a question for you: When was the last time you spent the time to learn something? It can’t include watching a TV newscast or scanning the news feed on your mobile device. I mean quality time spent with books or…